Michele Bachmann says she’ll have to check out Newsweek, Mitt Romney doesn’t know why people are still talking about that mystery donor, Rick Perry’s people aren’t really denying announcement reports and Rick Santorum is having a dance party.
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EARLIER ON THE FIX:
The Ames Straw Poll, explained
The ever-present President (and why it’s not working)
The 10 states that will decide the presidency
Are the Wisconsin recalls about women?
Perry team raising money, supporter says announcement next week
Rick Perry’s positive “Response”
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
* Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) brushed off a controversial “Newsweek” cover in Iowa today, saying she hadn’t seen the unflattering photo but disagreed with the “Queen of Rage” headline. NBC also reports that Bachmann attended a sermon in Iowa this weekend where the pastor called homosexuality “immoral” and “unnatural” and promoted a video of a man who said he was no longer gay after a conversation with God. Bachmann has long been a prominent foe of homosexuality, but she has been less vocal on the subject since entering the 2012 race.
* Mitt Romney is dismissing criticism over his “mystery donor,” saying that the story is over now that former Bain Capital executive Edward Conard has revealed himself. “He came out and discussed who he is, so there’s not much question anymore — no controversy,” the former Massachusetts governor said at a campaign stop in New Hampshire. But campaign finance groups still want Federal Election Commission and Department of Justice investigations.
* Two Nevada TV stations have pulled a National Republican Congressional Committee ad off the air, saying they could not substantiate its claims. The spot attacked state Treasurer Kate Marshall, the Democratic candidate in the special election to fill the House seat vacated by now-Sen. Dean Heller (R), by saying she backed a $500 million tax increase in 2010. Marshall faces former state Sen. Mark Amodei in the Sept. 13th election.
* A spokesman for Rick Perry has put out a non-denial denial in response to a Politico report that the Texas governor will announce that he’s running for president in a speech this Saturday.“The Governor is not a candidate for office at this time,” said Mark Miner. “Stay tuned.”
WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS:
* It’s deja-vu in New York’s 1st district, where Randy Altschuler and George Demos will once again face each other in the GOP primary to take on Rep. Tim Bishop (D). Altschuler came out on top last year, before losing very narrowly to Bishop. Demos argued that Altschuler proved himself “unelectable” when he lost in 2010. Altschuler’s camp says he’s already locked up most local GOP support.
* Rep. Rick Berg (R-N.D.) now has a primary challenger in the North Dakota Senate race — Duane Sand, an Iraq veteran and three-time unsuccessful congressional candidate. Sand was expected to run for Berg’s House seat; he says in his announcement that Berg’s vote in favor of the “debt ceiling abomination” inspired him to aim higher.
* Ames straw poll attendees should take note: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum is holding a “Santorum Summer Dance Party” on Saturday, featuring Buddy Holly’s band (The Crickets) and The Big Bopper Jr., pork burgers and the previously-announced peach preserves. Bachmann’s tent will feature country musician Randy Travis. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty is hosting Christian rock band Sonicflood and offering free Dairy Queen Blizzards.
* Freshman Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.), has a new challenger, Laconia car dealer and “son of a millworker” Andrew Hosmer. The former state Senate candidate will face ex-Rep. Carol Shea Porter in the Democratic primary; she wants the seat she lost in 2010 back.
* Politics and Pints is tonight! Unless you’re planning to be in Des Moines, Iowa this Wednesday, tonight is your only chance in all of August to win free beer from The Fix. Capitol Lounge, 7 P.M., come early for prime seating/time to come up with a prize-worthy team name.
THE FIX MIX:
Playing with bear cubs is still a bad idea.
With Rachel Weiner and Aaron Blake